A new twist for doing Bellwork!

Here is an innovative way to use your SMARTboard for Bellwork using voicethread.com. Check it outhttp://voicethread.com/#home.b7134.i51819

New Gallery Downloads

Try the pilot version of SMART’s Lesson Activity Toolkit - the newest addition to Notebook software resources. It’s full of customizable tools and templates that you can use to create professional-looking lessons with all the appeal and interactive power of SMART-created lesson activities.

Toolkit helps you create engaging and interactive content like word games, quizzes and sorting tables, and offers you Adobe Flash tools like hide-and-reveal and drag-and-drop. Your lessons move and respond with as much energy as your students.


http://education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/Software+Resources/toolkit/default.htm?WT.mc_id=EdHUBToolkit

Wow your students with this SMARTboard Tip- Erase and Reveal

Wow your students with Magic SMARTboard Paper!

How to get a free SMARTboard!

This link is to the funding edition of EDCompass newsletter. A major part of any long-range education technology plan is developing a strategy to pay for it. In this issue, SMART directs you to grants that can help you bring technology products, such as the SMART Board interactive whiteboard and the Senteo interactive response system, into your classroom. You’ll also read about SMARTer Kids programs, tips for writing grants and more. Enjoy and let me know what you think or if you have any success. I am on my way to getting two free SMART boards for my school!


http://education.smarttech.com/common/education/pdf/092007_thefundingissue.pdf

New Teacher Resources

In case you don't know www.smarttech.com is the creator of the SMARTboard. They have recently revised there site and have added some excellent professional developement activities for educators. Here is the link for the newly added "Teachers Hub" http://education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/Teachers+Hub/

I really enjoyed the new additions to the site, and I think you will too. I would love to hear your feedback on the new additions, what works, what doesn't, what you like and what you hate. Enjoy!

Fall Planning is Upon Us

As a new school year begins, educator brains swarm with new and exciting lessons they want to try or change. Throw a SMARTboard into the mix and planning can become overwhelming. As many new boards make their mark in classrooms this fall, I often find teachers asking the question "where do I begin?" "How do I teach with the technology and not the technology itself?"My response...
Start with the objectives. Know what you want to teach, and what concepts you want to cover, then find ways to infuse the SMARTboard into what you are already doing. For example, if you are teaching map skills using a globe, start with the globe and end with using Google Earth on your SMARTBoard. Students will remain engaged for longer periods when you integrate your SMARTboard mid lesson!
What tips or ideas do you have that can empower lessons and spark some exciting fall integration ideas?